Editorial: Using high energy density plasmas for nuclear experiments relevant to nuclear astrophysics

• Published in: Frontiers in physics Vol. 11; no. N/A
• Main Authors: Gatu Johnson, Maria, Hale, Gerald, Paris, Mark, Wiescher, Michael, Zylstra, Alex
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Frontiers Research Foundation 20.03.2023; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: 70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; charged-particle-induced reactions; HEDP; high energy density physics; high energy density physics (HEDP); national ignition facility; national ignition facility (NIF); NIF; nuclear astrophysics; NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS; nucleosynthesis; omega laser facility; plasma screening; short-pulse laser experiments
• ISSN: 2296-424X; 2296-424X
• DOI: 10.3389/fphy.2023.1180821

Thermonuclear reaction rates and nuclear processes have traditionally been explored by means of accelerator experiments, which are difficult to execute at conditions relevant to nucleosynthesis. High energy density (HED) plasmas generated using lasers, such as the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) platform, more closely mimic astrophysical environments in several ways, including with thermal distributions of reacting ions as opposed to mono-energetic ions impinging on a cold target; stellar-relevant plasma temperatures and densities; and neutron flux densities not found anywhere else on earth. The most extreme conditions can currently be achieved at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser in the US, where densities of 103 g/cm3 and neutron fluxes up to 5∙1027 neutrons/cm/s have been demonstrated over a time period of a few tens of picoseconds. The HED platform is emerging as an interesting complement to accelerator experiments.